At the risk of censure for overdoing the LBYM thing, and subverting current any current threads, Here's a re-visitation of some details from an earlier thread, that provided a framework for reducing expenses without sacrificing health or well being. I haven't put a $$$ number on the costs, since with some exceptions, we haven't spent the money in the first place.

Not to say that this could or should be a guideline. Obviously most here would not choose this path... nor should they. Just some possibilities for a fallback position in the case of hardship for whatever cause.

Feel free to add to, or contest any of the listed items. You could use the list as a check to see how much you spend each year on items that are important to you.
.................................................. .................................................. ...STUFF WE DON'T SPEND MONEY ON

And to add:
______Computer APPS (last year $250 Billion spent in US)
______Shopping at Whole Foods type stores... Mostly Aldi and Walmart
______State and Federal Taxes... Since 1989
______Donations... to causes with very high operating costs that we check out
.................................................. ........................................
We didn't consciously choose this path, and never felt (or even now "feel") that we missed out on anything. It was just a natural result of deciding to retire with less than total safety, and not spend several more years of working to follow the advice of a financial advisor. Absolutely no regrets.

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I remember saying something at work - when I was just starting out - about not needing to have life insurance premiums deducted from my meager pay, since I had no dependents. A secretary, who seemed elderly to me but was probably younger than I am now, started in on me with "You still need to be buried, don't you? Do you want to put that burden on your family?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobbieB

And yet there are grey haired guys on TV selling policies to old retired folks every night so they won't be a burden to their families when they pass.

__________________If you understood everything I say, you'd be me ~ Miles Davis'There is only one success – to be able to spend your life in your own way.’ Christopher Morley.

Being frugal is probably easier when you don't really want or need the thing you are frugal about. So I'll throw in designer handbags, diamonds, camping equipment, fishing tackle, flying lessons, second homes, and yes, tattoos

__________________“Would you like an adventure now, or would you like to have your tea first?” J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan

I looked at the list. The "x" indicates the things I am willing or have since retirement, spent money on. So, maybe I'm not frugal, however, I still live well below my means. While many of the x's I spend little money on, example: Flying. It's hard to get to Hawaii by car, and I don't consider $.99 for an app as wild spending. Some of the things of the list seem to put frugality ahead of good common since. i.e. Life Insurance if you are not FI and have small children to care for. Doing your own home repair when you are all thumbs and will have to pay more to have someone correct your mistakes. It's back to the long discussed thread here, 'How miserable do I want to be now, so I can be happy later'

And to add:
__x___Computer APPS (last year $250 Billion spent in US)
______Shopping at Whole Foods type stores... Mostly Aldi and Walmart
__x____State and Federal Taxes... Since 1989
______Donations... to causes with very high operating costs that we check out

__________________
If it is after 5:00 when I post I reserve the right to disavow anything I posted.

We all find ways to cut in an area that doesn't interest us, in order to fund an area that does.

Imoldernu doesn't pay for cruises - but has had 2nd homes....

I buy few new clothes for myself - but since retiring I dropped some weight - so, yeah, I had to buy a pair of new jeans. Not to mention needing to replace undies and bras periodically - so that makes it impossible to say I don't buy new clothes. My sons are in the adolescent phase of growing like weeks. (15 year old is 6'2"... and still growing). So yeah - I have to buy him new clothes as he outgrows the old stuff... but he's good about taking hand me downs from his dad and has an awesome collection of pre-owned t-shirts from goodwill.

No tattoos, expensive jewelry, hair styling products or beauty products (other than shampoo and rinse... and cheap goodie brand barrettes.) I give the boys haircuts with a flowbie, and DH trims my long hair with scissors.

I do fly airlines. I do travel internationally. I do buy organic foods when the price is reasonable. I don't own a second home. I don't eat at restaurants often. I don't pay for a housekeeper or gardener. (Unless you count when I incentivise the kids to participate in weeding/lawn/scrubbing toilets.)

__________________

__________________
Retired June 2014. No longer an enginerd - now I'm just a nerd.
micro pensions 7%, rental income 18%

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